What in the world? It's over? Evan isn't going to Sochi? What next? There is no Santa Claus? Johnny Weir doesn't like wearing sequins? I hope people don't think the US are sending second class skaters without Evan. They still have a good group of skaters fighting out for the National title.

I hope people don't think the US are sending second class skaters without Evan.

Actually, I think that's what annoyed me most about this whole charade. People making out like the US didn't have a prayer without Lysacek. Totally disrespecting the abilities and prospects of much younger and better skaters, when really, the US has done just fine without him.

Perhaps I ought to be disappointed that we didn't get to have another round of "Evan works harder than ANY OTHER SKATER IN THE WORLD!!!!" bull...

Actually, I think that's what annoyed me most about this whole charade. People making out like the US didn't have a prayer without Lysacek. Totally disrespecting the abilities and prospects of much younger and better skaters, when really, the US has done just fine without him.

Perhaps I ought to be disappointed that we didn't get to have another round of "Evan works harder than ANY OTHER SKATER IN THE WORLD!!!!" bull...

What charade? Lysacek has been battling injuries the last two years that have prevented him from being able to compete. He sustained a groin injury in August 2012, and then had surgery on November 20, 2012 to repair a torn abdominal muscle. Lysacek was then off the ice for six weeks. He then attempted to rehab the injury in time to compete at 2013 Nationals and was unable to do so. Lysacek then recovered from that injury and planned to compete this season. Unfortunately, he was injured during a fall while performing his short program during Champs Camp in late August. That injury was initially diagnosed as a slight abdominal tear. It was later determined that he had a torn left hip labrum. Lysacek tried to rehab the injury in time to compete this season; however, there was not enough time for him to recover. How is it a "charade" when an athlete trains, gets injured, and is unable to recover in time to compete?

I find it ironic that you get upset at other people who "disrespect the abilities and prospects of much younger and better skaters", when you have made it a habit on this forum to repeatedly disrespect the abilities and accomplishments of several skaters, including Lysacek.

My reference to the "charade" was the rubbish that Lysacek was the only prospect of anything, which is blatantly false and, as I said, very annoying.

I have no doubt that Lysacek was injured - it always seemed to me that he pushed himself too far, too soon, quite regularly. He is not Weir who regularly faked. However I lost a ton of respect for Lysacek after that whole rubbish with Skate America where he withdrew because they could not come to a suitable financial arrangement! I mean, what a joke. The USFSA weren't jerks, Lysacek got greedy.

My reference to the "charade" was the rubbish that Lysacek was the only prospect of anything, which is blatantly false and, as I said, very annoying..I have no doubt that Lysacek was injured

Really...you want me to believe that your "charade" comment was not referring to Lysacek, when you make this comment about him in the other Lysacek thread: "my only surprise is that he didn't keep up the act until the day before Nationals." (FYI, to put on an act is a charade)

To further clarify, it is my belief that Lysacek has known for some time that he would not recover in time, but has continued to say that he would to milk his sponsor spots. For which I cannot really blame him.

To further clarify, it is my belief that Lysacek has known for some time that he would not recover in time, but has continued to say that he would to milk his sponsor spots. For which I cannot really blame him.

You cannot fault Lysacek for trying to rehab the injury until time ran out. Most champion athletes fight until the bitter end...they don't just give up when there is still the remote possibility of recovery. The majority of Evan's sponsorships were inked prior to the latest injury (and a lot of the footage in the recent promotional clips included portions of his S& D free skate.. which was later changed to DQ in August) With the growing trend of a number of sponsors signing "legacy" athletes (i.e., former world & Olympic champions), Lysacek did not have to 'milk' the sponsors by pretending that he was going to compete. (As Coca-Cola stated, they hired a legacy athlete b/c the athlete could work on promoting the brand while the other athletes were having to focus on training and competing.)

My predictions for this season (which given my history those of you with differing hopes might as well resign yourself to now, as I always end up right on something I feel strongly enough to declare):

1. Despite my thus far perfect prediction of Chan and his 5+ fall margin over the field which has made him the most controversial and hated skating champion in history bar none, his luck has run out, and he will end his career with a 3rd or 4th place finish in Sochi.

2. Weaver & Poje (I even started a thread about this a few months ago) are going to have their best year yet, win the bronze in Sochi and the GPF, win their first ever grand prix assignment, and win a medal at Worlds.

3. Volosozhar & Trankov will not only win everything (admitedly an all too easy prediction) but gain the respect from fans they have not yet gotten in the process. They will also change their mind on their current plans to retire post Sochi and will continue on, despite the OGM.

4. Kim will easily win her 2nd OGM (and no this is not a safe prediction, as there are alot of Asada, Kostner, and Gold homers who seem certain said skater will win instead).

5. Wagner will win a medal at atleast one of the Olympics and Worlds.

6. Ando's comeback will go nowhere, and she will not make the Japanese Olympic team.

Feel free to bump if I even get a single of these wrong. As usual I wont.

Bumping because you did, in fact, ,already get two wrong and with Wagner I think it will shortly be three. W/P did not win either of their GP events and were 5th in the GP final, and V/T have not won everything- they lost the GP Final.

Bumping because you did, in fact, ,already get two wrong and with Wagner I think it will shortly be three. W/P did not win either of their GP events and were 5th in the GP final, and V/T have not won everything- they lost the GP Final.

Actually Wagner could still medal at Worlds. And knowing pangtongfan, he'll say "Wagner won a medal in the team event, so my prediction stands as correct."

So far, pangtongfan's track record:
1. Chan is certainly in a suitable position to win gold, or at least silver. But we'll have to wait and see.
2. Weaver and Poje haven't won the GPF, or their first ever GP assignment, and certainly will not win the bronze in Sochi. Even Worlds if D/W and V/M retired they could still lose to B/S, I/K and P/B.
3. V/T, as you said, lost the GPF. They have my respect, but the judges certainly don't for their egregious PCS boosting and +GOE even on mistakes.
4. Pending... if Julia wins, that's another one wrong.
5. Wagner likely won't medal in Sochi, and at Worlds she'll be depending on retirements of Mao/Kim/Kostner to medal (and could still lose to Murakami/Gold/Suzuki).
6. Oooooh, he got one correct! Ando not making the Japanese Olympic team... such a daring prediction.

1, 2, and 4 can all potentially not happen. Somebody get ready for another bump!